Mayo – give it a go!
For those who have haven’t explored the beautiful county of Mayo, the three-day Mayo Dark Sky Festival is your opportunity to discover the hidden treasures of the area. This is the third year of the festival which provides ample opportunities to learn about astronomy, and the all the wonders of our solar system.
The event is centred around the Hotel Newport in Newport but is also in the nearby towns of Mulranny and Ballycroy. Running from November 2-4, there will be plenty of events including talks and workshops on astronomy, environmental matters, astronomical heritage and art, science shows, photography, rocket workshops, planetarium shows and much more.
Evening events will explore local heritage to complement the night-time theme, including stargazing walks and observations, storytelling, magic and music.
This is something that all the family will enjoy and will allow you to see Ireland in a whole new light.
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The perfect winter shoes
Winter elicits imagery of Christmas and festive fun, but it also helpful to remember that during this season, we experience the harshest weather. Snow, wind and heavy rainfall are all too common at this time of year so it’s important to wear appropriate clothing to combat this.
Often ignored is making sure to use proper footwear so that you don’t fall while walking or running. However, this doesn’t mean you have to go a buy a new pair of shoes fit for the occasion, but simply add an accessory to boots you already have. Yaxtrax, for example, are light-weight ice grips worn over your regular walking shoes, winter boots, jogging or running shoes when walking on packed snow and ice in winter.
They’re unisex, and ideal for those who enjoy winter sports or simply want to take their dog for a walk without the fear of slipping.
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Bladder problems? Bladder infections are extremely common among women and older people, but a new study has shown that drinking more water can actually curb the risk of catching them. The research, which was led by Dr Yair Lotan from the Simmons Cancer Center at the University of Texas Southwestern found that bladder infection incidence reduces by drinking an additional 1.5 litres of water each day.
Overall, those in the water group were about half as likely to experience a bladder infection than those in the control group. “That’s a significant difference,” noted Dr Lotan, the chief of urologic oncology at the UT Southwestern Medical Center. “These findings are important because more than half of all women report having bladder infections, which are one of the most common infections in women.”
The study has confirmed previous research that drinking water is good for the bladder – in women especially.